Pre-Prep Reflections Week 17 January 2025

Diary Dates

Friday 31 January – 7+ assessment morning for Year 2

Tuesday 11 February – Open morning for prospective families

Friday 14 February – International theme day

Monday 17 to Friday 21 February – Half term (school closed)

Monday 24 February – Exeter School EdFest25 (school closed)

Tuesday 25 February – Staff INSET day (school closed)

Tuesday 4 March – Pancake races

Thursday 6 March – World Book Day

Monday 10 March – Spring Reviews issued

Friday 14 March – Red Nose Day

Wednesday 19 March – Parents’ Evening

Wednesday 26 March – Informal parent drop-in

Thursday 3 April – Easter theme day and end of spring term (3.30pm)

Friday 4 to Tuesday 22 April – Easter break (school closed)

Term dates for 2024-25 and 2025-26 are available to download from the school website. 

Exonian lecture

Captain Elizabeth Godwin – Life Guards Squadron

Captain Elizabeth Godwin was born in Devon and attended Exeter School from the age of 7 – 15. She graduated from King’s College London, qualifying as a Nurse in 2015. Whilst at university Captain Godwin commissioned into the Reserves and captained the 1st XI Hockey team.

Captain Godwin commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as the first female officer in the Life Guards, The Household Cavalry, since the regiment formed in 1661. She was also awarded the Sword of Honour as the best cadet in her intake.

Captain Godwin will share her experiences and give a first-hand insight into her career to date. She will explore nationally significant events as well as her day-to-day responsibilities as the leader of Sqn 2iC, which include running the Life Guards squadron of 60 soldiers and 100 Military Working Horses.

Friday 7 February, 6-8pm Exeter School main hall.

Click here to book tickets

Spotlight on Reception

We have had a lovely week in Reception. Our focus text this week has been Funnybones by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. We have explored parts of the body and skeletons, and the children really enjoyed using natural materials to create a large stick skeleton. We had some interesting name suggestions for our creation, including Tinkerbell, Sparkle and Dobby! In mathematics, we have been learning about subtraction and finding one less than a given number. The children have been practising great mathematical vocabulary and using “first, then, now” language when telling a subtraction story. In our literacy lessons this week, the children have been writing the Reception key words. They have been thinking carefully about using the sounds they know and remembering spelling patterns in tricky words. The children have been thinking of their own skeleton speech bubbles and trying to remember to use finger spaces between words. In art, the children have been creating chalk and collage skeletons, and even tried modelling skeletons and bones using playdough. Despite the wet weather, at forest school the children explored melting ice and why this is important for animals who are foraging for food. We are all really proud of the children’s hard work this term and the progress they are making.

Mrs Rickard, Mrs Smyth and Miss Adams

Healthy Eating

As we approach the half-way point in the school year, please may we remind parents about healthy playtime snacks. Snacks that are high in sugar and salt should be avoided. Please remember that sweets, chocolate and crisps are not allowed, in accordance with NHS guidelines. Items such as processed meats and cakes lack the nutritional value that children need to aid learning and concentration. Even some fruit strings and winders have very high sugar content.

We strongly encourage children to bring a small fruit or vegetable snack. Plain rice cakes or breadsticks are another healthy alternative for fussy eaters. If your child is staying after school for clubs or late room, you are very welcome to pack them additional healthy snacks, which we will give them time to eat.

We also ask that every child brings a named water bottle to school so that they can stay well hydrated. Children are encouraged to refill their water bottles as needed throughout the day, and water is served in jugs and cups at the lunch table every day.

Please note that we are a nut-free school. Children are welcome to bring in individual cakes or cut-up tray bakes on special occasions such as birthdays, but please ensure these are nut-free for the safety of all children. Thank you for your continued support.

Times Tables Rock Stars

All Year 2 children have been set up with an account on Times Tables Rock Stars, which is a great website to help children learn and practise their multiplication and division skills. Each child has received a letter today in their book bag which provides individual account details and explains how to log in. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of us.

Ms Richards and Mrs Goodwill

Individual music lessons

I have received a couple of enquiries recently from parents about one-to-one music lessons. We have previously offered violin, guitar, piano and singing lessons, but we do not currently have any children learning an instrument in school. I would like to see what appetite there is for this among parents and for which instruments. Please click here to register an expression of interest and help us plan for the recruitment of any new peripatetic teachers.

Mr Ayling